Newlywed couple barred from ‘ardas’ at gurdwara in Sangrur

Accused of misbehaviour, gurdwara management says the couple failed to furnish documents of their marriage.

The management of Gurdwara Nanakiana Sahib in Sangrur has been accused of misbehaving with a newlywed couple and locking them inside the gurdwara premises for over two hours. The couple, Jagtar Singh from Sangrur and Jasmeet Kaur of Gamiwala district in Mansa claimed they tied the nuptial knot on August 7, 2016, before a marriage registrar.

SGPC president Gobind Singh Longowal said he will look into the matter. (HT File)

The couple alleged that when they went to gurdwara on Saturday before their wedding reception, the gurdwara management refused to perform “ardas” (prayer) and told them to delete photos which they clicked in the gurdwara.

The gurdwara manager repeatedly insulted the groom and did not listen to the bridegroom, it was alleged.

“Before the reception, were reached the gurdwara in wedding dress to perform ardas, but the management told us to leave. They insulted us and even locked the main entrance of the gurdwara and we were harassed their more than two hours” said Jasmeet, the bridegroom, who is daughter of a freedom fighter.

“Our relatives kept waiting for us at the reception, but we were locked inside the gurdwara. Some guests had left when we reached the reception venue,” alleged the groom. Gurdwara manager Ranjit Singh said the couple came to the gurdwara for “anand karaj” (Sikh marriage ceremony) but they failed to furnish their marriage documents. Moreover, the woman’s family was also not present at the gurdwara, he said, trashing the allegations that the management misbehaved with them.

SGPC president Gobind Singh Longowal said he will look into the matter.